Shape International

In fulfilment of their Islamic religious obligations and unwavering commitment to humanity, **Vision Development Foundation (VDF)** continues its cherished tradition of sharing kindness and hope during the holy month of Ramadan. Last Thursday at its Churchill’s Town premises, VDF distributed essential food items — including bread, sugar, dates, tea, milk — along with cash support to needy families and vulnerable community members. The charity drive, which began on Thursday and Friday, is expected to continue throughout the holy month. Over the years, VDF’s Ramadan outreach has benefited a wide cross-section of Gambian society, including institutions, Islamic religious and community organisations, political parties, media houses, Area Councils, Ward Councillors, National Assembly Members, and disability communities. The initiative has reached communities from the Greater Banjul Area to the Upper River Region (URR). True to its inclusive spirit, similar gestures are extended during...

Brikama, West Coast Region — Disaster stakeholders issued a stark warning January 22: Persons with disabilities face deathly risks in emergencies due to exclusion from planning, early warnings, and evacuations, demanding immediate inclusion as a legal mandate. Stakeholders in disaster risk management called for full inclusion of persons with disabilities in preparedness, response, and recovery, warning that exclusion exposes this vulnerable group to disproportionate risks. The call came during a sensitisation forum on 22 January 2026, organised by the National Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities (NACPD) with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) at the Gambia Teachers’ Union Hall in Brikama. NACPD Chairperson Muhammed Krubally opened by noting disasters—climate, health, or human-induced—hit persons with disabilities hardest due to inaccessible warnings and planning gaps. “Persons wi th disabilities are often excluded from disaster planning, yet they are among th...

Banjul, The Gambia — The Gambia reinforced its growing profile as an investment and financing hub in West Africa by hosting the 7th edition of the Financial Afrik Awards (FAA) from 22 to 23 January 2026 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre. The two-day summit and awards ceremony, officially opened by President Adama Barrow, brought together over 400 delegates from 22 nationalities, including senior government officials, financial leaders, development partners, investors, and private sector executives from across Africa and the Arab world. Held under the theme “Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) as an Alternative to Public Debt,” the event highlighted innovative and sustainable financing solutions to help African countries bridge infrastructure gaps without overreliance on sovereign borrowing. Barrow: “No Infrastructure, No Development” In his opening address, President Barrow praised the organisers for selecting The Gambia as host and reaffirmed his gove...

Banjul, The Gambia, is hosting the 7th edition of the Financial Afrik Awards (FAA) on 22–23 January 2026 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, bringing together Africa’s top political, financial, and business leaders. Held under the theme “Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as an Alternative to Public Debt,” the flagship event will spotlight innovative financing solutions for Africa’s infrastructure needs while promoting fiscal sustainability. Since its launch in 2018, the Financial Afrik Awards have become a premier platform for high-level dialogue, strategic partnerships, and the celebration of African excellence. This year’s edition will feature ministerial panels, Africa–Arab World roundtables, investment forums, and networking sessions, alongside the prestigious Gala Dinner honouring “The 100 Who Are Transforming Africa.” Discussions will focus on PPP execution, Islamic finance instruments such as Sukuks, Africa–Gulf cooperation, and scaling bankable p...

The European Union (EU), in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), on 14 January 2026 officially launched a 30-month disability-inclusive project aimed at empowering children with disabilities in The Gambia through education, technology and play. The project, titled “Disability Inclusive Pathways: Empowering Children with Disabilities Through Education, Technology, and Play,” will be implemented in 12 selected mainstream schools across the Kanifing Municipality, West Coast Region and North Bank Region. It seeks to address persistent barriers faced by children with disabilities, including stigma, inaccessible school infrastructure, limited assistive technologies and inadequate teacher training. Speaking at the launch ceremony, attended by senior government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and the media, the Chairperson of the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD), His Worship Muhammed Krubally, ...